"Fully covariant radiation force on a polarizable particle" - Reply to the Comment by Volokitin and Persson

Abstract

We argue that the theories of Volokitin and Persson [Comment arXiv:1405:2525], of Dedkov and Kyasov [J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 20 (2008) 354006], and Pieplow and Henkel [New J. Phys. 15 (2013) 023027] agree on the electromagnetic force on a small, polarizable particle that is moving parallel to a planar, macroscopic body, as far as the contribution of evanescent waves is concerned. The apparent differences are discussed in detail and explained by choices of units and integral transformations. We point out in particular the role of Lorentz contraction in the procedure used by Volokitin and Persson, where a macroscopic body is "diluted" to get the force on a small particle. Differences that appear in the contribution of propagating photons are briefly mentioned.